Nitin Gadkari, who recently took over as Minister of Road Transport and Highways, is said to be meeting officials from the Government of Myanmar with a delegation from India, for promoting infrastructure projects in the North-East and finalizing the agreement for a proposed bus service between India and Myanmar.

With an aim to boost connectivity with neighbouring South Asian countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government are set to launch a weekly cross border bus service between India and Myanmar.

A 14 hour bus ride covering a distance of 579 kms, would start from Imphal in Manipur and commence in the town of Mandalay in central Myanmar. This service is likely to start in October this year. Though pricing per ticket is yet to be announced, officials are looking at an approximate fee of Rs. 2000 or below with the service of visa on arrival available to travelers. Officials are also expecting to allow movement of freight traffic as well, depending upon the response of the weekly bus service.

“The project which was in a limbo for about two years got an impetus after the new government took over. Apart from strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, it will also boost economic activity in the region” said a road ministry official.

The Indian government is also assisting Myanmar to upgrade a 70 km stretch of road which becomes non motorable during the rainy season, according to an official.